Family Structure

Marriage is on the decline, and a growing proportion of children are born to unmarried parents, many of them in unstable cohabiting unions. Research increasingly shows that family instability affects children’s cognitive and social-emotional development in ways that constrain their life chances. With an eye on these trends, the Future of Children first examined marriage […]

The American Community Survey (ACS) is an ongoing survey that provides vital information on a yearly basis about our nation and its people. Information from the survey generates data that help determine how more than $400 billion in federal and state funds are distributed each year. Through the ACS, we know more about jobs […]

The World Family Map report monitors the global health of families by tracking 16 indicators in 49 countries, representing all regions of the world. This year’s report includes an essay examining how parents divide labor-force participation, housework, and child care. See more 2014 Edition

In addition to reviewing the extensive research that has been done on families today, this report offers a framework for understanding family indicators that can influence child and adult outcomes and highlights some key economic and social policies that would strengthen family commitments and reduce family disparities. Read more.

This report presents statistics from the 2001–2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) on selected measures of physical health and limitations, access to or utilization of health care, and behavior or emotional well-being for children under age 18 by family structure, sex, age, race, Hispanic origin, parent’s education, family income, poverty status, home tenure status, health […]

Research Development Project on Human Service Needs of LGBT Populations, 2012-2015 | Learn more about this project This report discusses what is known about low-income and at-risk lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their interactions with human services, especially services funded by ACF, and identifies important areas for further research. To provide […]

Research Development Project on Human Service Needs of LGBT Populations, 2012-2015 | Learn more about this project This brief summarizes findings from the project Research Development Project on the Human Services of LGBT Populations. The brief discusses what is known about low-income and at-risk lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their […]

The context of marriage in the United States involves not only whether and when Americans choose to marry, but also how many times they marry. The majority of recent marriages are first marriages for both spouses. However, divorce rates are higher in the United States compared with European nations,1 and remarried adults have a higher […]

This brief reviews current literature regarding same-sex couples and LGB individuals to better understand their needs, strengths, and challenges; how they differ from and are similar to heterosexual couples; existing efforts to provide same-sex focused relationship education; and suggestions for expanding and providing culturally competent same-sex relationship and marriage education. As such, this brief intends […]

Why Do We Track Divorce Rates? Statistics on marriage and divorce are of great interest to federal, state, and local public officials, researchers, and members of the general public. Stories based on these statistics—for example, reporting on whether divorce rates are rising or falling—often appear in the media and are considered key indicators of family […]